LaMelo Ball Collides with Head Coach, Returns to Spark Hornets Amid Winning Streak
In a moment that had Hornets fans holding their breath, LaMelo Ball left Monday night’s game against the Pelicans after a freak collision - not with an opposing player, but with his own head coach.
Early in the first quarter, Ball was hustling to save a loose ball intended for Brandon Miller, trying to prevent a turnover. But in a rare and bizarre sequence, Hornets head coach Charles Lee also went after the ball near the sideline.
The two collided, and Ball went down hard, clutching his eye. Trainers quickly rushed over as the 6-foot-7 point guard remained on the floor before heading back to the locker room.
The team later confirmed that Ball suffered a laceration above his eye. Thankfully for Charlotte, and for anyone who enjoys watching one of the league’s most creative floor generals, Ball returned before the end of the first quarter. He even managed to score seven points before the break - a quick return that speaks to both his toughness and the stakes of this game.
This wasn’t a night Ball could afford to miss. The Hornets came into the matchup riding a six-game win streak, and Ball has been a central figure in that surge.
Over those six games, he’s averaged 16.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 7.8 assists - numbers that don’t just show production, but leadership. He’s been the engine behind a team that’s finally clicking after a rocky start to the season.
And that’s been the story of Ball’s year so far: availability and consistency. After injuries limited him in previous seasons, he’s already appeared in 41 games - a promising sign for a franchise that’s been waiting to see what a fully healthy LaMelo-led team can do.
On the season, Ball is averaging 19.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game. While his scoring is slightly down from past years, that’s more a reflection of the Hornets’ evolving offensive balance.
With Miles Bridges back in rhythm, Brandon Miller continuing to develop, and rookie Kon Knueppel making an immediate impact, Ball hasn’t had to carry the scoring load on his own. Instead, he’s leaned into his strengths as a facilitator and playmaker, helping everyone else shine while keeping the offense humming.
As for the collision, it sparked a wave of reactions from fans, many of whom were surprised - and a little amused - to see the head coach diving for a loose ball like he was still in uniform.
“Coach think he in the game or what?” one fan joked.
Another chimed in: “Two people chasing one ball and LaMelo gets the worst of it... Basketball gods be savage sometimes.”
But there was also genuine concern and support: “Hope he's okay, that collision looked rough,” one fan wrote. “The game needs his spark,” said another.
Thankfully, Ball’s quick return was the best possible outcome. The Hornets are surging at just the right time, and with their star point guard healthy and locked in, they’re starting to look like a team that could make some noise down the stretch.
The chemistry is building, the wins are stacking up, and LaMelo Ball is right in the middle of it - eye cut and all.